Just to keep you up to date on the latest Woods activities. Julia, I and the rest of the JW crew are spending a few days in the California sun. We have never taken a vacation in the "busy season" before. However, a few years ago we were inspired by a story we read about a family. The father was so moved by the fact that his daughter had turned 16 and he realised that his time with his kids was coming to a close. He didn't want their childhood to pass without having had the time to really get to know them and invest in their lives. So, they worked their careers and finacial picutre around to allow them to have one year to bicycle across America as a family. He said the difference in their lives and relationships at the end of that year was priceless.
Julia & I relate to this father's heart. We know that we are only given about 1/5 of our children's life here on earth to really invest in them. We don't want to loose out on this incredible phase in their lives. As much as we would love to take one year away from the craziness of life, we don't think that is reality. We never want to put business before family so, when the chance arose to take time in the middle of summer to experience the coast of California, we decided it would be the perfect alternative. Our goal is to go beyond the busyness of a normal vacation and work on the deeper levels of relationships with our kids.
Our staff is still available Tuesday through Friday if you want to book a session or have any questions. We wish all of you unforgettable family memories this summer! Periodically I will post some pictures of our latest adventures. We just finished up 4 wonderful days at The Grand Californian Hotel on the property of DisneyLand. What a great time if you ever in this area this is the place to stay. Why? because you wont have to wait in long lines to get into the park. The entrance to both California Adventure and DisneyLand are connected to the hotel. Today we are poolside at the new Aloft hotel in Rancho Cucamonga. A new hotel from the makers of Whotel. Its cool, hip and a great price. We are taking a day of chill before we head up the PC1 (pacific coast highway) to Santa Barbara. One of our things to do on this trip is to see how many times we can hit In and Out Burger. I know most of you in the midwest have never heard of In and Out Burger. WE NEED IN AND OUT IN THE MIDWEST! It is the best hamburger with out a doubt. Here in Cali it has a cult following. We roll in at midnight and it is packed! Since we have two girls that can not have wheat we tell them to make it protein style. What is that? Its when they wrap the burger in two big pieces of lettuce. There is all sorts of lingo that goes with the burger that you eventually learn with time. Thanks to one of our friends in Cali he let us in on the lingo that all of Californians know.
I will keep you posted with some pics and some inspiring stories to help keep your family focus number one.
How fun! I hope you have a blast and create a lot of wonderful memories! Do you daughters have celiac spru disease? I do, so I can understand about all the lingo and trouble at restaurants.
Posted by: Ashley Brockinton | July 21, 2008 at 01:11 AM
Good for you guys. You only get one chance with your kids and I am encouraged to hear of successful photographers like yourselves out there that haven't sold their souls to their careers. An excellent book on building solid, Christ-centered relationships with your kids is: The Relational Word by Josh McDowell.
Posted by: Jeremiah | July 21, 2008 at 07:58 AM
Awesome! Thanks for sharing and it seems to be in the air lately. I feel as if I am wasting away at the computer sometimes...sigh.
Thanks for sharing and you guys enjoy your family time. You deserve it FO SHO!
Posted by: Tawny | July 21, 2008 at 03:59 PM